SECTION V

AGENCY SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

NASA Headquarters and other NASA Lead Centers have assigned the following support activities to the Kennedy Space Center.

LEAD CENTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Goal:

Provide Agencywide quality acute health care and preventive medicine services, and proactively evaluate and control workplace health hazards

Objectives:

• Recognize, evaluate, and control health hazards
• Prevent occupational injury and illness
• Avoid or delay the onset of premature employee death and disability

KSC Implementation Plans:

• Coordinate and implement Agency Occupational Health Program policy and development of corresponding NASA Policy Documents (NPD's)
• Develop and implement a quantitative high-level process and outcome "metrics" (level one), and assist Field Centers in development of quantitative operational metrics (level two) for monitoring the health-effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Agency Occupational Health programs
• Develop an Agencywide Health Information Management System
• Provide professional consultations for contractor and civil service Occupational Health personnel at the Field Centers
• Provide continuing professional education for Occupational Health personnel at the Field Centers
• Document Agency compliance with programmatic, legal, and regulatory obligations, including the preparation of drafts for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Workers' Compensation, Employee Assistance Program, and other required reports

KSC Future Plans:

• Increase involvement and communication with all NASA Centers to increase efficiency and institute best practices in each area of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

NASA RANGE SAFETY INTERFACE

Goal:

Provide Agencywide expertise to the NASA Centers and Program Offices for Range Safety matters through direct interface with programs that operate on any of the ranges which NASA uses for testing/launches

Objectives:

• Provide rapid response to programs in the early planning stages to expedite the incorporation of the required Range Safety devices and ensure the necessary documentation is contracted for, complete, and on-time
• Provide NASA representation in the range requirements cycle
• Manage Agency compliance with Range Safety requirements
• Provide Agency level Range Safety policy documentation and instructions

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Serve as the focal point for NASA Range Safety questions from all NASA Centers and program offices
• Evaluate and recommend changes to existing and proposed Range Safety policy
• Evaluate proposed commercial launches as part of Department of Transportation (DOT) license process
• Represent Agency on Government/industry panels and committees dealing with Range Safety policy and procedures

LEAD CENTER FOR METROLOGY AND CALIBRATION

Goal:

Provide Agencywide management and leadership for NASA Metrology and Calibration Program

Objectives:

• Maintain Agencywide Measurement Assurance Programs centralized at KSC
• Provide a proactive process for budget planning and the utilization of resources to meet NASA needs and achieve the strategic goals of the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance

KSC Implementation Plans:

• Formulate NASA Metrology and Calibration policy for approval by the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance
• Review and recommend approval to the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance of all metrology and calibration research and development projects for the Agency
• Maintain the NASA technical program plan and the annual NASA management plan for metrology and calibration
• Continue to assist in the development of nationally recognized quality assurance standards through American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Conference of Standards and Laboratories

KSC Future Plans:

• Develop and implement Agencywide intrinsic reference standards

LEAD CENTER FOR FLUIDS MANAGEMENT

Goal:

Provide Agencywide management and leadership for liquid propellants, gases, and specialized fluids from hydrogen to CFCs

Objectives:

• Effectively manage space flight fluid propellants acquisition
• Ensure that industry supply sources, manufacturing and analysis processes, storage/transportation issues, and cost drivers meet Agency and customer requirements
• Develop, design, and procure propellant transportation vessels and GSE to support all U.S. Space Programs

KSC Implementation Plans:

• Continue NASA's advisory relationship with DOT on equipment specifications and standards for hazardous fluid propellants handling and transportation
• Continue to provide the most reliable and cost-effective liquid hydrogen supplies to the Agency
• Initiate the consolidated NASA Helium Acquisition Project to supply the Agency's helium requirements after the shutdown of the Federal Helium Program scheduled for early 1998

KSC Future Plans:

• Develop and utilize more accurate forecasting models to more effectively manage potential future requirements and costs
• Expand fluids management functions to include consolidation of other fluid acquisitions for more cost-effective commodity supplies
• Provide community management for other Government agencies where cost effective

EXPERT CENTER FOR WORKSTATION MANAGEMENT

Goal:

Provide Agencywide computer workstation expertise and leadership

Objectives:

• Increase the return that NASA receives from our computer workstation investment
• Streamline the inventory management and software/hardware upgrade process
• Reduce overall workstation management costs
• Maximize the use of common solutions to Agency problems

KSC Implementation Plans:

• Integrate Workshop Management requirements from the various Field Centers to develop a phased solution that focuses on maximizing returns early in the process
• Develop tools and implementation methodologies, and procurement avenues to allow the timely deployment of NASA standard workstation management solutions
• Deploy and test solutions in a pilot environment with the existing KSC Payloads and KSC-installed workstation base as the target
• Provide a NASA Workstation Management Guide and update it periodically as technology and process change
• Provide a NASA Workstation Management Expert Center Web page
• Develop an effective virtual "Workstation Management Team" to work Agency issues

KSC Future Plans:

• Focus on UNIX workstation management tools and methodologies. This activity will be performed as a part of a teaming arrangement with the UNIX Expert Center
• Promote inventory roll-up of all NASA data to a centralized NASA workstation inventory data server in order to reduce the effort associated with periodic reporting requirements
• Continue to evaluate existing and emerging standards

EXPERT CENTER FOR IMAGING AND OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION

Goal:

Provide Agencywide Imaging and Optical Character Recognition solutions and expertise in the implementation of those solutions

Objectives:

• To increase the return that NASA receives from our computer imaging and Optical Character Resolution equipment investment
• To streamline access to image data, to make it quickly and easily available to those who need it, and to provide increased functionality at a reduced cost

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Create a baseline image management capability based on various standard tools, formats, and systems
• Deploy and test this solution in a pilot environment that facilitates transition to production
• Develop tools and implementation methodologies to allow the timely deployment of NASA standard imaging solutions
• Integrate document image management with NASA's Document Management activities

EXPERT CENTER FOR INTRA-CENTER NETWORKING

Goal:

Provide Agencywide, Intra-Center, computer network management solutions and expertise in the implementation of those solutions

Objectives:

• To increase the return that NASA receives from our computer network investment
• To streamline the processes and technologies and allow the end user increased functionality for reduced cost

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Integrate Intra-Center Networking requirements from the various Field Centers to develop a phased solution that focuses on maximizing returns early in the process
• Develop tools, standards, and implementation methodologies to allow the timely deployment of NASA standard networking solutions

LEAD CENTER FOR RELOCATION SERVICES

Goal:

Provide Agencywide guidance and oversight for the Employee Relocation Program Services Contract

Objectives:

• Provide guaranteed home sale and marketing assistance
• Initiate and monitor contract for relocation services
• Communicate regularly with field installations concerning funding obligations, contractor's performance, and employee issues
• Certify all contractor invoices for payment
• Monitor obligated funds
• Facilitate resolution of contract disputes between contractor and employees regarding NASA relocation policy and contractual issues
• Conduct appraisal review appeals

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Provide status report to Headquarters on contract performance
• Keep Relocation Services Coordinators informed of developments with either the contract or individual transferees
• Initiate Direct Billing Program for transferees who elect to use the relocation contractor as their mortgage provider
• Initiate mandatory minimum 60-day listing prior to authorizing NASA employee to participate in Guaranteed Home Sale Program in an effort to lower cost to NASA

LEAD CENTER FOR DRUG FREE WORK PLACE

Goal:

Provide Agencywide Federally required drug testing capability under a uniform system

Objectives:

• Maintain a drug testing capability that meets regulatory requirements
• Manage the Agencywide contract for drug testing

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Implement a new drug testing contract
• Provide advice and assistance regarding testing procedures throughout the Agency
• Provide for Agencywide drug testing and drug testing supplies
  

LEAD CENTER FOR NASA FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM (FEDERAL ARREST AUTHORITY)

Goal:

Provide Agencywide Federal Arrest Authority (FAA) and Certification Training to both NASA Civil Service and Contractor Security Personnel

Objectives:

• To ensure Agency security and law enforcement operations and training are operating under a recognized, approved set of training standards to ensure that NASA is capable of providing superior security services for all personnel, property, and operations

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Develop NASA policies which are based on the best, current, and common practices of other law enforcement activities and in keeping with current Federal and state laws and regulations
• Develop a training curriculum that adequately informs and educates NASA/NASA Contractor Security Personnel and that fairly and consistently evaluates the proficiency and qualifications of the security officer student
• Ensure all qualified personnel are properly trained and equipped

LEAD CENTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY (COMSEC) CENTRAL OFFICE OF RECORD

Goal:

Provide Agencywide management of all COMSEC assets assigned to NASA

Objectives:

• Ensure all COMSEC assets assigned to NASA are appropriately maintained, operated, and secured

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Manage the NASA COMSEC Material Control System
• Maintain master records of all accountable COMSEC material assigned to the NASA COMSEC Material Control System
• Audit the various COMSEC accounts for compliance with maintenance, operation, and security requirements
• Coordinate Central Office of Record (COR) operations with the National Security Agency (NSA), other Federal agencies and the military services

LEAD CENTER FOR ELECTRONIC KEY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Goal:

Provide Agencywide production, distribution, and management for the NASA Electronic Key Management System

Objectives:

• Reduce storage and delivery time for COMSEC key material
• Reduce the potential for compromise of COMSEC key through elimination of physical key

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Complete NASA/NSA beta test and develop NASA operational documentation and procedures
• Produce and distribute COMSEC key for operation customers on a timely basis

FOCAL POINT FOR AGENCY BENCHMARKING INITIATIVES

Goal:

Provide an Agencywide resource to facilitate effective benchmarking studies

Objective:

• To advocate and facilitate benchmarking and the transfer of best practices to improve performance of processes and programs within the Agency

Implementation Plans:

• Respond to industry requests for benchmarking study participation
• Host KSC benchmarking site visits
• Advocate the use of consortium benchmarking techniques with the Kennedy Benchmarking Clearinghouse
• Apply benchmarking expertise to focus ongoing internal KSC comparisons on a systematic approach with comparison of process measurements
• Provide benchmarking information to NASA teams and managers
• Respond to requests from other Centers for benchmarking assistance
• Provide International Benchmarking Clearinghouse (IBC) contract management
• Ensure accepted benchmarking protocol is followed during studies
• Support the KSC process analysis and improvement cross-cutting function

Future Plans:

• Establish benchmarking common interest groups across the Agency
• Ensure beneficial and cost-effective studies by utilizing expertise in selecting processes amenable to benchmarking
• Prevent redundant efforts
• Provide benchmarking assistance/facilitation to Agency cross-cutting teams
• Participate in benchmarking studies sponsored by the National Performance Review and other Government agencies
• Support the Inter-Agency Benchmarking and Best Practices Council
• Develop NASA benchmarking policies and guidelines
• Develop and implement a NASA database for sharing best practices across the Agency
• Transition the Headquarters benchmarking web pages to KSC and complement those pages with new information describing KSC efforts and plans
• Perform outreach to stimulate the use of benchmarking tools in industry and academic programs
• Continue benchmarking applied research efforts (KSC received a silver medal award for applied research from the International Benchmarking Clearinghouse in 1995)

KSC Implementation Plan Home Page

Author: Saul Barton
Curator: Carol Valdes (Carol.Valdes-1@ksc.nasa.gov)
Updated: June 10, 1997